158 
THE FLORIST. 
under the fruit when they begin to swell. Plant out those sown last 
month and sow again for succession; likewise Cucumbers both for 
frames and for ridging in the open gronnd. Give good soakings of 
water to Potatoes, Carrots, &c., in frames, and remove the lights every 
fine day. As soon as the frames are clear of any of these crops, fork 
over the soil and close the frames for a day or two to get the soil warm, 
in preparation for planting Cucumbers and Melons. Harden off 
Tomatoes, Egg-plants, and tender herbs, to be in readiness for planting 
out by the end of the month. Give plenty of air and water to French 
Beans in pits; and as soon as these are in bearing those growing in 
pots in the forcing houses should be thrown away, as the red spider will 
now be troublesome. Hardy Fruit .—The prospect of a crop of fruit 
in this department is not very cheering. All fruit trees, with the 
exception of Plums and Apples, have suffered from the effects of the 
cold wet summer of last year, followed by an unusually severe winter, 
which has caused much injury in many gardens to the unripened wood. 
Peaches and Apricots have suffered most; indeed, we hear accounts 
from sorhe parts of Peach trees being totally’ killed. It is not unlikely 
that many of the shoots of last year’s growth in Peach trees will die 
back during the early part of the summer, when the sap in the shoots 
becomes exhausted. These should be cut back to the healthy part, as 
well as all other side shoots that are destitute of fruit, the object being 
to furnish the trees with a fresh supply of bearing wood. Disbudding 
may now be commenced, removing a few of the strongest shoots at first 
from the vigorous branches; but all the foliage on the weaker members 
should be encouraged for the present, to equalise the flow of sap through¬ 
out the trees, and at all times retain sufficient foliage to shade the 
main branches from the scorching sun. Keep a sharp watch for green¬ 
fly, and destroy them by using common snuff and sulphur in equal 
parts, or by a wash made of tobacco, soft soap, and sulphur—2 lbs. of 
each will be sufficient to make twenty gallons; use with the syringe in 
the evening when the sun is off the trees. Go over Apricot trees and 
remove all strong shoots that are not required to fill the wall. Keep a 
close watch for the first appearance, of caterpillars ; about this time 
they will be making their appearance, and the curling of the leaves 
will indicate their whereabouts; they are very destructive to the leaves 
as well as to the young fruit, and the only Vvay to get rid of them is 
to unrol the leaf and pick them out. The fruit will now require 
thinning; this should be done at different periods—the final thinning 
should be done when ail danger of dropping is past. The young fruit 
may be used for tarts, and it also makes an excellent preserve. Keep 
down weeds in Strawberry beds, and mulch the ground round the plants 
with stable litter, which will greatly assist the plants by keeping the 
soil moist, and the rains will wash it clean before the fruit ripens. 
Plant out early forced plants, and if kept watered in dry weather it is 
likely they will produce a good crop of fruit in the autumn. Peaches 
and Nectarines .—Continue to syringe the trees till the fruit begins to 
ripen, and give plenty of air at all times. Tie in the shoots, and expose 
the fruit as much as possible. When the fruit is swelling the tempe¬ 
rature may be increased with safety, and Water freely at the root. Tie 
n and thin the shoots in the late houses. Give air freely, and use the 
